Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight with a fine, even texture. Frequently contains numerous small, tight knots that create irregular grain patterns around them.
Color Description
Heartwood is a striking reddish or violet-brown; sapwood is pale yellow or white. Color tends to darken to a deeper brown with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
900 lbf (Medium); though technically a softwood, it sits near the hardness of many medium-density hardwoods.
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to rot and fungal decay; highly resistant to insect attack, especially moths.
Common Uses
Closet lining, chests, fence posts, birdhouses, outdoor furniture, pencils, and essential oil production.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America, ranging from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $7.00 per board foot depending on width and clear versus knotty grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Living specimen appearing to be approximately 15-25 years old based on branching density and height.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Extremely sustainable; often considered an invasive species in some prairie regions due to its rapid spread.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It saws, planes, and sands well. It can be brittle and prone to splitting when nailing or screwing near edges.
Notable Features
Distinctive, pleasant aromatic scent; contains natural oils that repel moths; relatively lightweight with good dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Best left unfinished for aromatic uses. If finishing, polyurethane or lacquer work well to preserve color, though shellac is often used as a sealer.
Identification Confidence
High. The identification is based on the scale-like foliage of the background trees, the characteristic shrubby growth form in an open field, and the presence of nearby Juniperus virginiana consistent with Eastern North American coastal/field ecology.